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It costs $230 out-of-pocket to see a dermatologist. Many Australians go without – despite soaring skin cancer rates
TL;DR
The average out-of-pocket cost for a first visit to a dermatologist in Australia is now $230, with follow-up appointments costing nearly $190. Many Australians are forgoing necessary dermatological care amid rising skin cancer rates.
Key points
- Average first visit to a dermatologist costs $230
- Follow-up appointments cost nearly $190
- Costs rose by almost $18 for first visits in one year
- Follow-up appointment costs increased by almost $20
- Steeper rises in smaller states like WA, SA, and Tasmania
Patients are increasingly going without medically necessary dermatological care, the head of the Consumers Health Forum said, as new report reveals the rising cost of the specialty in Australia.
Dermatology is expensive and getting pricier, with an average first visit now costing an adult patient without concessions $230 out-of-pocket, while follow-up appointments cost almost $190, the report from health directory Cleanbill found.
Cleanbill collected information on the pricing, services and locations of Australia’s dermatology clinics in 2024, and again in late 2025.
The results, published on Sunday and based on data from 322 clinics, show that the cost of a first appointment rose nationwide by an average of almost $18 in one year, and a follow-up by almost $20.
Rises were steeper in smaller states including Western Australia, South Australia, and Tasmania.
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“Specialist care is becoming something you have to budget for, plan for, and in too many cases, go without,” the CEO of the Consumers Health Forum, Dr Elizabeth Deveny, said.
“That is especially true for dermatology, where ongoing care is often not optional, it is medically necessary.
“The gap between what Medicare covers and what specialists charge has been widening for years. People feel it every time they get a bill. No one should have to weigh up whether they can afford to follow up on a skin cancer check.”
Dermatology is a small workforce, with just under 700 specialist dermatologists and about 130 trainees nationally, while demand for their services rises, in part driven by high skin cancer rates. Psychiatry by comparison has 6,500 qualified psychiatrists and more than 2,500 trainees.
Many in the profession are also being driven to more lucrative cosmetic work performed outside of Medicare, leaving fewer specialists available for essential treatment as waiting lists grow longer and out-of-pocket costs rise.
There are also limited trainee places, which are government funded. According to the Australasian College of Dermatologists, the number of training positions is constrained by funding and capacity within public hospitals and public outpatient clinics, which the college says remain under‑resourced relative to demand.
Q&A
What is the average cost of a first visit to a dermatologist in Australia?
The average cost for a first visit to a dermatologist in Australia is $230 out-of-pocket.
How much do follow-up appointments with dermatologists cost in Australia?
Follow-up appointments with dermatologists in Australia cost almost $190.
Why are Australians going without dermatological care?
Many Australians are going without necessary dermatological care due to the high costs associated with visits.
Which Australian states have seen the steepest rise in dermatology costs?
Western Australia, South Australia, and Tasmania have experienced steeper rises in dermatology costs.
